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U.S. dentist who killed Cecil the lion set to return to work

FILE- In this July 29, 2015, file photo, protestors gather outside Dr. Walter James Palmer's dental office in Bloomington, Minn. Palmer killed Cecil, a black-maned lion, just outside Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Palmer participated in an interview Sunday, Sept. 6, in which he disputed some accounts of the hunt, expressed agitation at the animosity directed at those close to him and said he would be back at work within days. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File) FILE- In this July 29, 2015, file photo, protestors gather outside Dr. Walter James Palmer's dental office in Bloomington, Minn. Palmer killed Cecil, a black-maned lion, just outside Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Palmer participated in an interview Sunday, Sept. 6, in which he disputed some accounts of the hunt, expressed agitation at the animosity directed at those close to him and said he would be back at work within days. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)

By Associated Press September 8, 2015 1 min read

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota dentist who experienced a global backlash after killing Cecil the lion is expected to return to work after more than a month out of the public eye.

Walter Palmer was named in late July as the hunter who killed Cecil. In following days, he received threats, was vilified online and his office was the site of protests.

In an interview Sunday with The Associated Press and Minneapolis Star Tribune, Palmer said he feels safe enough to return to work Tuesday. He said his staff and patients want him back.

Palmer says he believes he acted legally and was stunned to learn his hunting party had killed a treasured animal.

Cecil was a fixture in the Hwange National Park and had a GPS collar as part of Oxford University research.